Chapter Text
Betty Cooper lived in a town where everyone knew her business.
She owned an apartment that was too cold and slept in a bed that was too hard.
Her life had fallen apart a year ago today and its anniversary didn’t look like it would be any better.
She had become a cynic, a pessimist. A glass half empty kind of person who hated the world around her. Everything made her angry. It was her constant state of being these days. A resting bitch face and a snide comment for anyone who spoke to her.
Walking into work that day to start her 8 hour shift at the local supermarket checkouts, Betty ignored everyone as they stared at her. Their sorrow filled gazes and annoying apologies only making her day so much worse.
Betty’s personal life was no secret to the people of Riverdale. They knew everything about her and the reasons for her now sad and angry life. She had grown up in the sleepy little town her whole life and back then her future was alot brighter.
Now Betty Cooper had nothing and no one and that’s the way she wanted it to stay.
“Hi how are you today?” She spoke like a robot, not even looking at the customer or even caring as she started to ring up their groceries.
She already knew who it was without looking up anyway. No one new ever came to Riverdale and this was the only supermarket in town so everyone shopped there. Some shopped on certain days, others came in everyday. Either way she was always here. 8 hours a day 5 days a week. What she did on the other two days Betty didn’t even know.
Offensive perfume, 15 packets of turkish delight - Yep Mrs Rownen.
“Hello Betty dear. How are you today? It can’t be easy for you knowing what today is?”
Betty didn’t even flinch or stop to answer her questions knowing full well the old women would just keep talking. Besides, Betty was asked these same questions over and over almost all the time. She had prepared herself for today though. There would be a relentless pity parade just for her.
“Have you heard from him? Well I suppose you wouldn’t would you. Still it’s such a shame what happened. Some things just aren’t meant to be.”
“That will be 23.50, Mrs Rownen .” Betty tucked her loose blond hair behind her ear out of her face and waited for Mrs Rownen to hand her the money.
“Are you coping okay dear?”
“Yes I’m fine thanks. Have a nice day.” Betty handed the lady her bags, giving her a sickly sweet fake smile just so she would leave and say nothing more.
Of course I would be more fine if you didn’t insist on talking to me about it every time you came in the shop, Betty grumbled to herself as she started on the next customer. Mr brown.
“Bettzzy how you goin love? It’s a sad day for all of us today. My grandson tells me he keeps the grave neat and tidy.”
This onslaught Betty knew would be worse than the last.
“Don’t wait too long to get back out there though, you haven't got a lot of time left,” The old man chuckled, handing Betty some money.
She was only 26 and it made her blood boil that he had the audacity to be so sexist, but as usual she said nothing. Just giving him a tight lipped grin and sending Mr Brown on his way.
Only 7 hours and 45 minutes to go.
Jughead Jones had been on the road for a week and a half. He’d travelled over 1000km on his bike and he still didn’t think it was far enough. Nothing ever would be when he was running from himself, from his life back home. The expectations, the responsibilities, the people. He had to get away from it all. Clear his head and have some time to think.
‘Welcome to Riverdale the town with Pep’
Jughead slowed down rolling into the quaint town that looked like a good place to stop for a night or two. He could feel there was something off about his bike. Not enough revs per minute he pondered. Maybe he would stop in on a mechanic too.
But first, food was more important.
Usually Jughead would find a fast food joint or a diner and have a sit down meal, but it had been almost 9 hours since he last ate. Time was of the essence and he was hungry enough to have two meals. Seeing a supermarket Jughead pulled in. FOOD. FOOD. FOOD.
As he switched off his bike and the vibrations of the road disappeared his body went into shock. Finding it hard to stand, he took off his helmet and stretched his muscles before they seized up. Unzipping his leather jacket and combing his hair with his hands, making himself look a bit more presentable he walked into the shop.
Coming from New York to this small town Jughead wasn’t used to small crowds and polite people. The city being the exact opposite, but he definitely preferred it like this. He stopped in the doorway, helmet under his arm and admired the clean fully stocked supermarket. He didn’t care if people thought he was weird. In New York the supermarkets were always empty and smelled of garbage. He saw customers addressing the checkout staff by their names even though he noticed one blond woman didn’t wear a badge.
His eyes lingered on her - Betty he had eavesdropped - for longer than normal. She was stunning. Her beauty catching him off guard. WOW. Jughead couldn't help but feel instantly attracted to her. Luckily she hadn't noticed him staring from afar.
Eyes front Jughead.
Heading straight for the potato chip aisle, he couldn’t decide if there were a pair of eyes watching him and he didn’t want to check. Slightly nervous to think they could be her’s. Jughead grabbed a few bottles of Gatorade, some bread, Bananas, A hot chicken that would all get eaten as soon as he left the shop and of course too many packets of chips.
Heading to the front of the shop again to pay he heard shouting.
“You don’t have to be so rude, Betty,” The customer spat, “I'm just saying we all feel sorry for you.”
The look on Betty’s face was one of pure horror and rage. Jughead couldn’t help, but feel confused at the altercation, but it was none of his business.
Lining up at her checkout he started to notice a pattern. For one she only spoke when necessary and everyone else seemed to be asking her if she was okay. As though something horrible had happened. Granted she did look a bit run down, but he thought her messy hair looked cute.
As it was almost his turn their eyes met for a brief moment. They were deep brown and almost mesmerising as they stared into his own. She looked sceptical as to what Jughead was doing there and then looked away. A pink flush crept onto her cheeks as he continued to watch her, brightening up her face making him smirk to himself. He always did have an effect on the ladies. It was his leather jacket that did the trick usually.
“Hi,” Jughead said, not expecting a reply.
“Hi.”
Her voice was soft and unlike other times he had heard her speak there was no strain in her voice. As she went through his items Jughead was astounded that this woman, Betty, had become even more beautiful up close.
Usually Jughead was smooth and didn't often get nervous around women, but at that very moment he had no idea what to say to her. Even ‘ Busy day?’ seemed stupid in his mind.
“Can you put this at the end there?” She handed him a sign not looking at him that said - We would be happy to serve you at another checkout.
“Going for a break?”
“Yep,” she replied as Jughead placed it at the end of the counter sending the other customers away. “ Only started half an hour ago but who needs a job right?”
Her sardonic humor making them both unknowingly smirk to themselves.
“Rough day huh?”
“Everyday's a rough day,” she quipped back.
“That’s 39.70.” She paused, waiting for him and smiled for a fleeting moment. One that Jughead in fact did capture with his own eyes. It was genuine and soft. Something told him that was a rare occurrence for her.
“Know any good diners or food joints around here?” Jughead asked quickly. His brain finally piecing together a sentence that could lead somewhere.
“Pop’s makes really good burgers and fries. It’s just up this main road a bit more. You can’t miss it.”
Her voice was uneasy as she spoke like she hadn’t had a proper conversation with a person in a long time and had forgotten how to talk.
“Sounds good. Thanks.”
They both nodded not knowing what to say next. Should he say good bye or was that too formal for such a casual meeting. What was happening to him? He was never like this around women. He always knew what to say. So instead of saying anything he walked out the door.
Confidence was his thing. No one had ever rendered him so speechless before. Not even Toni when they had first met. She intrigued him and Jughead wanted to know more about her. Too bad he wasn’t staying long enough to find out.
Putting his food into the storage compartment of his bike he switched it on, zipping his jacket up and putting on his helmet. Looking around, deciding which way he was going to go a pair of eyes watched him from inside the shop. They were her eyes for sure this time and Jughead didn’t hesitate to stare right back at her before flicking his dark visor down and riding off.